Title: The Gladiator Series: The Gladiator and Jesus
Author: Tony Carangi
Publisher: Independently published
ISBN: 78-1097870424
Pages: 125
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Christa Hill
Pacific Book Review
The Gladiator Series: The Gladiator and Jesus is a gripping story of a Gladiator’s journey of faith. This book pulls you in from the first word. Author Tony Carangi has a very definite finesse with words. Written in third person the story allows you to sympathize with its main character without forcing you into feeling as though you are calling the shots. Action packed and entertaining The Gladiator and Jesus has a much oomph as a film with all the sophistication of a classic.
Though the title of the story points to the fact that Jesus plays a major role in the story, his appearance is jarring and simultaneously thought provoking. Very rarely do authors allow for the history of the Bible to mix and mingle (as it did) with tales of ancient Rome. The history hinted out in The Gladiator and Jesus begs the reader to pursue alternate historical information.
A few of the character’s names are odd, making it difficult at times to decipher whether or not the names are in reference to a place or a person. However, each fight scene makes up for this confusion by delivering on heart ponding exhilaration. The world of the story is also very intriguing because it is not heavily described. On one hand the lack of scenic descriptions left me curious about the surroundings of the characters, it also left me wanting a little bit more.
While the story held much excitement for me, I often found myself stalling at parts due to the heavy single-spaced block text that the book is written in. For all the grit and charm of the earlier chapters the latter chapters lag where the earlier portion did not. The final redemption elements feel unnecessary and force leaving a desire for an alternate ending.
Though engaging and historically interesting, this tale could benefit from more scenes of human interaction throughout. It would also be lovely to have more perspective on the world that the Gladiator lives in. With all that said I believe that this story has some very rewarding moments and ideas that would are definitely worth exploring more, as I know the series intends to do.
